Joint Projects

JCC Global Amitim-Fellows connects twenty five JCCs from eleven countries that are inventing, developing and implementing global programs that bring their members closer to Jews in their own communities and around the world.

The Executive Directors and Lay Leaders of these JCCs, who were identified as key change agents, are part of a global network. After spending a week together in Budapest, Hungary, in June 2014, the twenty five JCCs are now working on seven global projects. Each group has at least 3 JCCs from different regions: North America, Israel and Europe/FSU/Latin America.

Quotes from participants’ final survey (the answers were anonymous):

“This program has influenced my connection to Israel and the Jewish people because I now understand the different aspects of Judaism that make me who I am.”

“I feel closer to the Jewish people now because I have witnessed the power of bringing a group of Jewish teens together.”

“I am from Israel, and this program showed me the love Jews from other countries have for Israel and it made me love my country even more.”

“This is a wonderful program that creates kehila (community) among Jews. Even though we come from all over the world, when you trace our history back, we find that we all come from the same place.”

“Family Tree is a Jewish program that connects teens through their heritage and background while doing fun and interesting activities together. It truly creates friendships that will last a lifetime.”

“I benefited by being exposed to different people who are surrounded by different cultures, but all have the same cultural connection of Judaism. I also made lifelong friends and bonds with people that I will always cherish.”

“I learned that even though we live in different places around the world we have similar lives”

“I feel like I finally figured out what my Jewish identity is.”

“I learned not only to be a leader, but to be a Jewish leader. I got out of my comfort zone, and participated and led activities for kids that, personally, I did not know how to connect. This program taught me to be someone that I have always wished to be, and I feel grateful being a part of it.”

“It gave me a plethora of ways I can maintain my Jewish identity”

“I studied a lot and I also found friends from all over the world. I feel more connected to my Jewish community. And I see more clearly how important is to connect to your own community.”

“I feel like our JCC, since the trip, has benefited in the ways of teen participation and loving of Judaism! Everybody in our project loved the whole experience and everyone from Orange County wants to do it again! And they’re even telling their friends!”

“We came together not as three delegations but one.”

“The JCC has more connections from this program (Szarvas, JCC global). They also have four new leaders (me, Matthew, Sam, and Molly).”

“This program helped not only the kids, but the instructors as well. They learned how to better run programs and how to solve problems quickly and that greatly helps everyone.”